Report: IDF to Recommend Concessions to PA

In the wake of Hamas' stratospheric rise following the Shalit Deal, the IDF may recommend moves to bolster the PA.

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Gavriel Queenann & A7 Staff, 24/10/11 18:13

IDF in Yesha

Israel news photo: Flash 90

According to reports in Israel’s Hebrew-language media, the IDF is expected to recommend Israel make 'gestures' to the Palestinian Authority in order to bolster its stature following last week's deal with Hamas to free 1,027 terrorists for Gilad Shalit.

The Shalit deal was widely hailed as a stunning victory for Gaza's ruling Hamas terror organization, launching them back to the fore of the Israeli-Arab milieu and rendering them stratospherically ascendant over rival PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement.

Some analysts have suggested Israel's leaders timed the Shalit deal in such a way as to punish Abbas for his September statehood bid at the United Nations, which was totally eclipsed in the media by Shalit's release.

One report quoted an advisor to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu as saying, "We don't want the collapse of the Palestinian Authority, but if it happens, it won't be the end of the world."

Nevertheless, the ruling zeitgeist in the IDF’s senior echelons are leading it to recommend the release of Fatah prisoners, releasing the bodies of terrorists to the PA, and handing more security authority to the PA in Judea and Samaria - even as Israel's security forces are on high alert amid new attacks in the wake of the Shalit deal.

Yesha Council chairman Danny Dayan reacted strongly to reports of the IDF's proposed gestures to prop up Abbas' PA following last week's release of the first 477 terrorists to Hamas in exchange for Shalit.

Speaking to Arutz Sheva's Hebrew service, Dayan said, "I would expect the army's line of thought would be how to hit Hamas now and not how to strengthen the PA. A blow to Hamas is essential now from another standpoint, that of punishment for abducting Shalit and as a deterrent against other kidnappings.

"Dayan said the IDF should submit proposals for eliminating everyone involved in capturing and holding Shalit, from Hamas terror commander Ahmad Jabri on down, and should not get involved in political decisions."